Hello,
I am new to the forum and came here for some help and advice.
I have got a consultation this Saturday 15th november for Gastric bypass surgery. Which I am also booked in to have the Op on the 6th December.
I was wondering what questions I should ask them and what i should expect.
I am so happy to be having this done but very nervous at the same time.
Any help and advice will be much appiciated.

Some questions you might want to ask your surgeon (some of these are geared specificaly to the DS or to those travelling for surgery, so a few may not apply):How many of your surgeries that started out lap were converted to open?How many of your patients have died? From what?How many of your patients have had serious complications? What were they?How many of your patients have had serious nutritional complications? Are there specific deficiencies you see most often? How are these patients followed? Have you had to do any revisions?How often do you see leaks?Will my being from out of town affect my follow-up? What do you think my goal weight should be?Do I need to lose a certain amount of weight or get to a certain BMI before surgery?What is the pre-op diet?What are the preparations for the surgery? Testing? Timeline?Will my surgery be open or laparoscopic?How will the incision be closed? Stitches, steri-strips, glue or staples?How long would the open incision be?How long should the surgery take, barring complications?Will you remove my appendix during surgery? Will you remove my gallbladder during surgery? If not, will you prescribe a gall stone prevention medication for at least the first 6 months post-op?Will I/should I wear a binder after surgery? Does the hospital provide one, or should I bring one with me?What level of pain/nausea should I expect? Will I be taking an acid reducer after surgery? For how long?Will I go home with a feeding tube?Will I have a drainage tube? For how long? Will I go home with it?How long should I expect to be in the hospital? What’s required for me to be dischargeable?Can my husband or any family member stay with me in the hospital?Typical discharge instructions?Will I need to stay in the area following discharge?When will the staples/stitches be removed? When will I need to return for follow-up? How frequently?What type of follow-up do you prefer for post-ops? Can a local doctor provide this? What sort of doctor? How can he/she communicate with you about my particular long-term needs?How often will labs be checked in year one? Thereafter? Can labs be ordered by my PCP and faxed to your office for analysis?After surgery, when can I resume my normal activities?How long should I expect to be out of work?How soon will I be able to drive?Do I have a limit on how much I can carry or lift? For how long?How soon can I begin an exercise regimen, besides walking?What types of exercise do you recommend and at what stage post-op?Are practice nutritionists experienced in WLS follow-up?What is the post-op diet?What’s the vitamin regimen following surgery? Does it change over time? What percentage of calories and fat will my body absorb post-op?How many calories and fat grams should I eat post-op?How many grams of protein should I consume each day?Do you recommend protein supplements?Are there any specific foods I should not consume post-op?What supplements and medications will I be taking post-op?Will there be medications that I can no longer take post-op, or medications I won't absorb normally?What are my odds of getting a hernia? Does the risk vary whether the surgery is open or lap? Can I cause a hernia? What should I do to avoid a hernia?What are my odds of adhesions?How might this surgery affect health problems I may develop later? (cancer treatment, need for stronger meds for arthritis, osteoporosis, etc.)

minijojo...Any questions about the questions? LOL some may need explainations!

Such as a "revision" is when they go back and change say, a Lap Band procedure into a gastric bypass do to complications or the like...some people have had the less complicatied Vertical sleeve to get down to a safe weight to convert or revise to a Gastric Bypass...etc.

If you want to know anything more specific like that, just ask!

Angela

__________________

The glass of water is what it is,
it's only our own perception that tells us
whether or not it's half empty or half full...
it's a Choice!!!

heh, I was VERY straightforward about all my questions/concerns with my surgeon. My mother was with me and couldn't believe I'd asked him flat out how many DS patients he'd lot. She said she would never have the courage to ask something like that. To me, I'm trusting this man to slice me open and rearrange my insides--I want to know EVERYTHING! Heck, I even questioned some of his responses to some of my questions

please, don't think it's an insult, love. I don't do that. Before studying up on the surgery, I was one that didn't question much...I became that way out of necessity! I meant only, some of the wording was specific and might need explanation.

Angela

__________________

The glass of water is what it is,
it's only our own perception that tells us
whether or not it's half empty or half full...
it's a Choice!!!

Hi Can i just say you are doing Fab in losing the weight!!
How long is it now since you had your op?
Also what rate can i hope to lose my weight??like how much in a week?
I know we are all different, but I am soooo excited lol

Oh no, I didn't take anything as an insult! Didn't intend to sound ofended in any way I knew exactly what you meant--I just thought my mother was so funny how she kept telling me I was "brave" for asking so many questions

Jillybean, you really are a brave one! It takes courage to stand up for yourself with Drs, they can be arrogant pains! Good on ya!

minijojo, I had surgery February 4th of this year. I tell you, you are so right that we are all different...everyone loses at a different rate.

Me, I lost 51 lbs the first 3 months BUT that was the easy part! I was struggling just to get down the protein and water I needed and keep them down! It came off slower then that in the next 6 months but still more then ever before and has settled down to about 1-2 lbs a week. I still have 30+ lbs to lose but I'm sure that will happen, it has been surprisingly consistant if I just do as I'm told by the surgeon and the NUT.

I know how exciting and scary this time before you actually have surgery is, but you are doing something to propell yourself forward toward a healthier life style...surgery is a great tool to hammer that lifestyle into place! Use it wisely and you will succeed!

for you both

Angela

__________________

The glass of water is what it is,
it's only our own perception that tells us
whether or not it's half empty or half full...
it's a Choice!!!